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Rtpc31 · 06-14-2024, 12:49 AM

Rookie center Rence Sykut sits in his stall in the Seattle Argonauts locker room grinning ear to ear following a thrilling 4-3 overtime win to best the Tampa Bay Barracuda punctuated by Rence’s overtime winner only 19 seconds into the extra period. This marks only the second win in 12 games for the Argonauts to start the S76 season, but you could never tell based on the postgame celebration. To Rence’s right, captain Vaseline Podcalzone cackles as he recreates the rookie’s clumsy on-ice celebration. To the left, William Salming, the usually even tempered Finn lets out a guttural celebratory howl. Across the locker room, sitting amongst the other defenseman, Landon Fischermann bops along and turns up the volume on the speaker playing Rence’s favorite “Eurotrash” music. The scene is emblematic of a passing of the torch moment within the Seattle franchise as the veteran Argonauts welcome in the next generation.

For Rence, the first few of the season have been surreal. “I have to pinch myself every day coming to the rink. These guys are literally living legends in the SHL and here they are celebrating a win with me like we just won a playoff game. I can’t imagine getting dropped into a locker room with a greater group of guys. You can’t mention Seattle hockey without thinking about the names Podcalzone, Salming, and Fischermann. They have been big brothers to me since day one. It’s incredible.”

Rence’s point about these names being synonymous with the Seattle franchise is not an exaggeration. The team have played only 3 seasons without the names Podcalzone and Salming stitched on the back of their sweaters and only a handful of seasons more without Fischermann manning the blue line. After their inception into the league in S56 as an expansion franchise, their first draft saw them select both Podcalzone and Salming. Little did they know that these two would be pillars on the ice for the Argonauts for the next 18 seasons and counting.

With the 23rd pick in the 2nd round of that draft, Seattle called the name Vaseline Podcalzone as their third pick after selecting Dee Centerman IV and Zdenko Beranek with their first picks one round earlier. Vaseline recalls that night, “It felt great. I would say Seattle was one of the teams I was most hoping to go to, especially with the intrigue of helping out an expansion team. Wasn't expecting them to pick me that soon, I knew my stock was around that of a second rounder but they did end up picking me pretty early on in the second round.”

After moving to North America from Russia for junior hockey, Podcalzone landed with the Newfoundland Berserkers. He’s the first to admit that it took a little while to establish himself on this side of the Atlantic. “I didn't have the best start to my career. Back then there were four forward lines and the team was stacked. I was playing about 8 minutes a night and put up 8 points in 50 games. I contributed a fair bit in the playoffs but otherwise it was a very humbling experience.” There was, however, a silver lining as his Berserkers went on to win the Four Star Cup during his rookie season. Even with his struggles to find a prominent role on the team and limited production, Seattle saw enough potential in him to take him in the next season’s draft.

As his junior career progressed, Vaseline remained determined to show his skills and earn more ice time. With time, he did exactly that and ended his junior career with 50 goals, 72 assists, and 122 points in 232 games. Vaseline recalls his junior stint fondly, “The next few seasons were better though. League expanded to 66 games, I started playing top 6 minutes and contributed more offensively. Wore the "A" in my third year with the Zerks and was captain in my last season in the J before getting called up to Seattle. Lots of great memories there with the lads, especially winning that Four Star Cup in my rookie J season.” Now it was on to the Pacific Northwest to meet new challenges and new teammates.

In that same S56 draft, 21 picks after Podcalzone, the Argonauts took a chance on a young Finnish forward, William Salming, with the 44th pick in the 3rd round. Salming was elated to be joining an expansion team and helping to build a new winning culture on a new team. “I am a fan of expansion team Vegas Golden Knights so that's why I joined the SMJHL expansion team Quebec City Citadelles and hoped to be picked to a SHL expansion team too because I am a person who wants to be part of original building projects. There were two options, Seattle and Atlanta at that time. It was an honour that GM Tig decided to use 44th overall pick for me. Of course I was ready to play on any team but Seattle was my top target so it was perfect.”

Much like Podcalzone, William Salming came from Europe to play out his junior hockey career. Salming joined the Quebec City Citadelles for the S55 season and endured a similar growth curve to Podcalzone with the new culture and play style in North America. One thing that he never lacked though was the solid two way play style burned into him from his youth. This is demonstrated by his impressive +61 rating over the final two seasons of his junior career. He finished up in Quebec City with 49 goals, 85 assists, and 134 points in 232 games culminating in a Four Star Cup championship in his final season there. He, too, looks back on those formative memories with a smile on his face, “I played four seasons in Quebec City. I began in the 4th line and grinded my way to the top line. In the last season we won the cup so I would say thanks to that my junior career was a success. Individual level I could have produced more but on the other hand my goal has always been to provide solid and responsible two-way game. Total plus-minus +61 from last two seasons is a sign from that. I have wanted to be a player who is worthy of trust for coaches. Playing in the Citadelles teached me valuable things about winning hockey.” He was ready to bring that winning mentality to Seattle.

With that, the Seattle franchise brought up their two young forwards with mirroring trajectories for the start of the S59 season. The team was coming off of a disappointing season which saw them finish third from the bottom of the standings with 52 points and the influx of young homegrown talent was much anticipated. During their first 3 seasons in Seattle, the pair grew from upstart rookies into mainstays as reliable Top 6 forwards. Seattle, however, had only risen to the status of a middling SHL team during that time with a couple of first round exits and another early departure by way of a sweep in the second round of the playoffs. It was clear this team would need more talent to bring the team into serious Challenge Cup contenders. They would find one of those talents during the S61 draft.

I was with the 10th overall pick in that draft, the Seattle Argonauts selected defenseman Landon Fischermann, who would go on to complete the third of the trifecta of lifelong Argonauts. It was clear from the draft floor that no one was happier about the pick than Landon himself. “I was so excited about being drafted by Seattle. Fun fact that I was the first player selected by Seattle with their own pick in the first round in franchise history. Tig had a knack for trading away his first rounders, but he hung on to this one and took me. There was a small chance I was going to go to Calgary, but they opted to take a teammate of mine from Vancouver who ended up out of the league about a month after the draft. Their loss!! I was so proud to become an Argo, and now as the General Manager of the team, I think my loyalty and love for them is well known!”. Seattle, too, was hoping that they had just acquired their future top pair defenseman from Southern California.

Fischermann spent the first three seasons of his junior career in the Pacific Northwest playing for the Vancouver Whalers where he put up considerable offensive statistics for a junior defenseman. During those 3 seasons, he tallied 128 points and a truly outstanding +99 rating while coming away with a Four Star Cup championship of his own during that time. “We were competitive every year except my last, including winning one championship. I scored the game-winning goal in the clinching game, so that was quite the moment. I was so honored to be a captain on that team, but my last season there was a bit rough, as the class above me was the majority of our core, so them leaving left us with a huge hole.” For his final season, Landon was traded to the Regina Elk where his statistics fell off considerably. This did not preclude him from ending his time in the SMJHL with excellent offensive numbers by tallying a total of 159 points in 262 games including 116 assists. Landon came away with massive SHL potential and positive memories from his time in juniors. “However as a whole, I would say I had as good of a J career as I could have, also winning a gold medal with Team USA in the World Junior Championships and then again the next season with Team British Isles. I was a first team all star twice, a Harvey Danver Award winner, a Quilha Agante winner, and was also nominated for the Alex Light award. I finished with 159 points, 43 goals and 116 assists along with a +63 rating, which is even more impressive since during my last season with Vancouver I was -36 because of the rebuilding year. All in all, I loved my career in the J, especially since I came in mostly as an unknown.”

Back in Seattle, Podcalzone and Salming had three more seasons before the arrival of Fischermann and continued to work to build Seattle into a perennial contender in that time. By now, Podcalzone had established himself as a perennial 20 goal scoring threat and Salming had earned a reputation of being a shutdown forward with ability to put up points of his own. However, Seattle still could not get out of the messy middle of the SHL standings and their string of first and second round exits continued through to the S64 season when Fischermann was called up to the big squad. The stage was set, and it was time for these 3 Seattle centerpieces to cement their legacy and bring a championship to the Argonaut faithful.

S65 was when it all seemed to begin to click. Vaseline exploded for his first 40 goal season to go along with 44 assists. Salming found another gear and racked up 62 points of his own while continuing to be leaned on as a two way stalwart. The young Fischermann was coming into his own on the blueline and proving to be a reliable defender.The Argonauts finally looked like a complete team on their way to 90 points and 4th place finish in the standings. However, two of the three teams finishing ahead of them were within their own division and the first round saw Seattle get bounced in 6 games at the hands of division rival San Francisco. Another season, the same disappointment.

The threesome returned for the S66 with renewed resolve to get their team over the hump. While their statistics didn’t pop off the page like they did the season before, the Argos put up another respectable 86 point regular season going into the playoffs. This time, things were different. Seattle rolled through division rivals San Francisco and Los Angeles in the first two rounds on their way to a semi final meeting with a white hot Chicago Syndicate team who had swept their first two series. Chicago won the first two games of the series and it was looking like Seattle’s first trip past the second round would be short lived. However, the Argos came storming back to win four in a row to send them to their first finals appearance in franchise history to face the league’s best team, the Atlanta Inferno. Seattle would battle arduously in the first four games to bring the series to a 2-2 tie before succumbing in the final two games to lose the opportunity at their first championship. Through the disappointment, the league was now put on notice that Seattle was a bonafide contender and would be back stronger than ever with their now fully established core. Podcalzone finished the playoffs second in points with 24 including 19 assists, Salming contributed 19 points of his own including 2 shorthanded goals, and Fischermann proved he can handle big minutes in big situations on the blueline. It was clear that this team would be back in this position very soon.

The following offseason, Seattle added offensive dynamo Luukas Lilja to center Podcalzone and Salming with hopes that this could put the team over the championship hump. The move provided instant dividends as the Argonauts rolled to another 90 point season and into playoffs with confidence of knowing that they can reach the final round. Podcalzone and Salming were firmly in their respective primes and Fischermann had taken the reins of the top pair on the blueline. In the playoffs, Seattle rode their stable of stars through the first 3 rounds and into the finals once again, this time against a surprising Manhattan Rage team on a Cinderella run. The Argonauts fell behind 3-2 in the series, but they were not to be denied this time. They stormed back with resounding 5-2 and 9-1 wins to take the Challenge Cup championship in 7 games in no small part to their core of lifelong Argos. Podcalzone completed another big postseason with 28 points including 2 goals and an assist in the clinching game recalled the series as one of his proudest moments, “I think we were down in the series there and it felt like our backs were against the wall, but we pushed back and got it done. It was a resilient and gritty effort but it definitely brought a lot of joy.” Salming chipped in 21 points of his own that postseason and remembers the chaos of the celebration, “Generally, the feeling after you have won something is always special. I mean, when the final horn rings, game is over and whole locker room goes nuts. Everyone are happy and screaming loudly. You can't hear own thoughts. You just spam random words from your mouth. That is something you can't buy with money.” Last but not least, Fischermannshut down the opposition during the entire playoff run and posted a truly impressive +7 in the clinching game. His efforts cannot be overlooked in helping to finally get Seattle to the promised land.

The trio had finally climbed to the top of the simulation hockey world, and secured their first championship. However their legend was just beginning as they returned for the start of the S68 season hungry for more. With the confidence of a reigning champion, Seattle mowed down the competition in the regular season racking up 111 points and losing only 9 games in regulation. In the playoffs, this was not a team to be denied, losing only 2 games on their way to a finals rematch with the once again surprising Manhattan Rage. This time it would be Manhattan storming back from a 3-1 series deficit to force and Game 7 only to fall 2-1 in the final game to Seattle. For the second consecutive season, the Argonauts, as well as the franchise staple trio, were champions. Landon Fischermann encapsulated the feeling within the team best, “The sheer dominance we sustained for a four to five year span was incredible. All culminating in two consecutive championships. That’s where we became family. The bonds that we shared during those runs were incredible. Just a group of people working so hard together to obtain a common goal.”

The following S69 season, Seattle came in with their eyes dead set on a three-peat to forever solidify themselves as one of the best dynasties in SHL history. Another great regular season, and swift disposal of their first two playoff opponents made it seem like a third consecutive championship was on the horizon until they ran into the Winnipeg Aurora in the conference finals who bested them in a contentious back and forth series which took overtime in Game 7 to knock out the Argonauts.

The story was nearly identical in S70 with a rematch against Winnipeg in the conference finals, only this time the Aurora disposed of Seattle in only 5 games. By now, the price of success had begun taking its toll on Seattle and it was clear that the contention window was coming to a close. Seattle would make the playoffs in S71 and S72, but get eliminated in the first round before the current 4 season playoff drought began. Many of the players from the championship teams had been moved or retired, and Seattle slumped into what has been a lengthy rebuild. Nonetheless, the names Podcalzone, Salming, and Fischermann still grace the backs of the Argonauts sweaters to this day as they wind down the back 9 of their careers.

Looking back now at their careers, it’s easy to see why these three pillars of the organization are so beloved by the team, the city, and league wide. Vaseline Podcalzone eclipsed 1000 points during the S76 season and as of this writing sits at 1008 points and 400 goals in his career. “Getting my 1000th career point last season was nice. I've been looking at that milestone for a long time now, and to reach that milestone is really nice. Only a handful of players have gotten to that point so far, although I wouldn't be surprised if that number goes up in the next few years.” Despite the team’s recent backslide, Vaseline is content with where his career has brought him, “I can't say there's too many "what ifs" in a career like this. Definitely would have been if I never won a Challenge Cup or fell short of a thousand points. Otherwise, I feel like it has been a fulfilling career.” When thinking about the people he remembers from his career, Vaseline’s best memories come from those back to back championship seasons, “Cassius Darrow was the OG captain of the Argos and an integral part to those early seasons. Manning was a superstar for us for a handful of seasons. Kermit Murphy and Daryl Urquhart were staples on the blueline. Lots of great memories with that group, especially with winning those championships.”

Salming, too, despite describing himself as a responsible two way forward, is nearing the 900 point mark in his career sitting only 18 points shy at 882 as of this writing. His legend status only grows further when you add all of his international accolades to the picture. “I have never been a player who shines in individual categories or is the top scorer of the team. I have just offered a solid two-way game and tried to help my team win that way. But still this question was pretty easy to answer. First of all, I feel proud for being a top penalty killer in championships teams in Quebec City and Seattle. And secondly, I have one of the best, if not the best record in big finals. My all-time record is 8-2 (3x IIHF, 2x Challenge Cup, 2x WJC, 1x Four Star Cup). I was 5-0 before we lost Challenge Cup finals of season 66 to Atlanta Inferno. My another final loss is even more painful. It was season 68. We had just won back-to-back Challenge Cups and then I headed back home to play IIHF event at my home country Finland. We advanced to gold medal game but lost it to our dear rival Sweden. I still haven't been able to watch that game again afterwards. It just hurts too much. But yeah, I am proud that me and my team mates have been able to perform well when it has mattered most. I have been lucky for being in the right place at the right time and that is the reason I am a 23rd member of the Quad Gold Club.” Salming doesn’t have many regrets about his career either. “When I eventually retire some day in the future, I think that World Championships final at the home ice is the only day I would love to live again and change the outcome. But in the big picture I have no reasons to regret anything. My career has been so far better than I ever thought it could be so I will for sure retire as a happy person.” Salming, too, has the fondest memories of those surrounding during the championship runs as well as some of his junior teammates, “Well, Vaseline Podcalzone and Dee Centerman IV are two guys from the same draft class of S56 who are Argonauts legends too and I have enjoyed to be in a same locker room with them many years. Unfortunately we were forced to trade Dee when our cup was window open but he came back later which was great. And together with Vaseline I have played almost all of my games as an Argonaut. It is surreal we have already played almost 1200 regular season matches in the Seattle. There have been some great centers between us and it is impossible to name them all. In the addition of those two, of course all players who were part of our cup-winning teams between seasons 67 and 68 are extra special because when you win something big together, the relationship is unique rest of the life. And the management group has always been world-class. When it comes to Quebec City, Mat Smith and Kev Kevens are two guys also from the same draft class who are close friends for me but there were also other cool people during my four-year stint in the same locker room. From Team Finland goalie Harry Carpet and center Jean-Uthred Söderberg-Tremblay gets my respect. After many dry years at the international level, they created winning atmosphere and culture which led us to three gold medals in 60's. Those names comes quickly to my mind and I will for sure thank many more people when my career is over.”

Fischermann, who announced that S77 will be his final season in the SHL, will be retiring as a highly decorated defenseman with 447 points as of this writing. He has been a bonafide top pair defender and workhorse for the majority of his career averaging 24 or more minutes per game for the past 7 seasons and 20 or more minutes for the past 10 seasons. He’ll leave behind a void in the Seattle back end that they can only hope to fill with their incoming prospects. “Winning at every level has been incredible. Not many players get to hoist as many trophies as I did during my career. It was such an honor to be a part of this franchise, and Vancouver and Regina’s for that matter. So many incredible memories and amazing friendships were made. Can’t wait to continue that on with the next generation.” When asked to look back on his SHL career, Landon gave an answer of fulfillment but then hesitated, “I won in the SMJHL, won in the SHL (twice), won in the World Junior championships (twice), but never got that gold medal at the IIHF World Championships. A couple of close calls, but it just never happened for me. Really would have loved to go into that select few that won all four championships. Just going to have to do it with Campbell I guess!! The other regret I have is never winning the Bojo Biscuit Award with Landon. I was nominated one time, but did not end up getting the win. It really is a tragedy, but Landon was always a team first player, sacrificing stats and accolades for the betterment of the team. That was his motto from day 1 in Vancouver, and that carried through his entire, illustrious career.” Looking back at his numbers, it is still a mystery how this guy never took home hardware for best defensive defenseman.

Fast forward to modern day, and it is now the veteran trio that are tasked with shepherding the new crop of young Argonauts that pull the navy and gold sweaters over their heads each day. After a lengthy rebuild, the final stretch to handing the torch over to a new generation is within sight, and the three grizzled veterans in the Seattle locker room offer nothing but support and positivity as prospect after prospect wash up at the feet of these SHL giants. Podcalzone clearly sees the light at the end of the tunnel of the rebuild soon, “It's exciting. I know we've been rebuilding for a few seasons now but I'm excited to see the fruits of that labour with this exciting batch of players. We have a few getting their starts this season, with plenty more to come in the next few. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be exciting times for Seattle hockey once again.” Salming, too, who supplies the locker room with yoda-like wisdom alludes to a previous interview he had given when asked about the prospects in the system, “Losing is a feeling you never get used to. At the same time it teaches you humbleness and is a crucial part of sports. Sometimes you win and sometimes you just lose. Not even Felix Sanchez or Mijain Lopez is unbeatable. Sanchez won over hundred races in a row at the 400 meters hurdles in the early years of 2000's and Lopez has four straight Olympic Gold Medals in wrestling (130kg+) but sometimes it is just your turn to lose. What happens after that determines if you are a top athlete or not. And winning after losing tastes even better. You learn to respect moments of winning because they are rare.” He continues with his always measured tone and cadence, “I am sure there will be some obstacles on your way towards success. It took many playoff runs also for my generation to eventually win the Challenge Cup. But eventually we did it because we had learned from all previous runs and it pushed us to try even harder. You have a license to be sad when you lose but if you don't get over it quickly and focus next goal soon, then you will be in trouble. Keep believing daily and good things will happen. Eddie and Oats have done a good job for drafting such a talented group of young hockey players. And many of them have already tasted success in juniors both on club and international level. I am confident that future will be bright in Seattle. Some guys will internally rise for a bigger role and then others need to support them as a role players because not all guys can be stars.” Finally, Landon Fischermann, who already has taken front office responsibilities since the rebuild began offers his assessment of the future of the Argos, “I am so excited for the group we have coming up over the next couple seasons with the Argos. It has been a struggle the last couple seasons, but we can see the light. The night is always darkest before the dawn. I took over a team with no picks, no prospects and not much of a future, but we have turned that into one of the best young groups out there. The rest of the league needs to be on notice. The Argos are coming. We won’t be doing a dip like this again either. We will be back and we will be around to sustain success for the long haul. It is time to bring the Argonauts back into the light. The excitement that is building in Seattle is so cool, and it is amazing to be at the ground floor of this return to glory. Argos forever, Argos for life!!”

So as the Seattle Argonauts find themselves at a crossroads between the old and the new, the prospects and the legends, and the future and the past, it is important that the previous generation be recognized before the kids take their place. The careers of Vaseline Podcalzone, William Salming, and Landon Fischermann pay testament that greatness, much like championship trophies, is something not to be held but passed. This trifecta of greatness is now passing their wisdom along to the new kids on the block who only hope to achieve a fraction of the success that these lifelong Argonauts have achieved.

Rence Sykut probably puts it best as he reflects on his rookie year playing center in between Vaseline Podcalzone and William Salming with Landon Fischermann on the blueline behind him, “There’s this saying that you never want to meet your heroes because you will end up disappointed. Well, in this case, my heroes wear the same navy and gold sweater that I do, and there’s no greater honor that I can imagine than when these two cheer on my achievements both on and off the ice. These are walking legends and their SHL careers deserve all of the reverence and esteem that you can heap on them. I am proud to wear these colors because of them and I can only hope that I deserve 5000 words of praise when I am finished as they do.”

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*Huge thank you to @yosh, @Salming, and @efischermann for generous quotes looking back at their careers. Hope I did all of you any sort of justice. Argos TID.